Okay, my loyal readers, here is the third chapter of The Sins of the Father. As usual, I don't own Harry Potter, though I wish I did.
Chapter Three: Mistrust of the Ministry
{Location: Northern Oregon, Pacific Northwest, United States of America}
[Friday, 18 March, 1994 A.D.]
(00:32; 12:32 a.m.)
Those who knew her, even those who'd just met her for a brief period of a second or two, would tell you with absolute certainty that Lor Grant was a kind, gentle soul, unable of causing anyone pain or harm, that she was unable to hate anyone, no matter the sins they'd committed. Unlike the muggle-born Elianna Kasumi, who, for some unknown reason, had always claimed that she could sense an aura of power radiating from the mother of his best friend, those who knew her, the members of her family among them, that she simply did not have it in her to be a warrior. Oh, yes, she certainly knew an array of defensive magic, as nearly all witches and wizards did, but combative magic had never been, the knew, was not her specialty. She was a brilliant witch with transfiguration and handy with potions, and she could use nearly any charm she needed, but, as those who'd ever met her would tell you, her true specialty laid with Healing Magic, magical medicine, and healing magical wounds. Lor's best abilities, it was widely confirmed, rested with her ground-breaking knowledge in the Healing Arts, not in curses, jinxes, and hexes. They, of course, would be dead wrong.
You see, as kind as she is, Lor Grant has been living a majority of her adult life with two massive, great secrets that have tested the very fabrics of who she is. Horrible secrets, oh yes, but great secrets as well.
You see, if the truth was to be told, Lor Grant was, in truth, a devastating, cunning warrior, especially once she'd been pushed to the brink. She had, in the past, fought plenty of dark wizards, nearly all of them top lieutenants of the Black Sun Syndicate. She had, in the end, been thrust head-first into the war against the Black Suns. And this, thus, leads to the first of Lor Grant's twin secrets.
See, it was she who ended the terrible reign of the Dread Lord Imperious. It had been none other than Lor Grant, herself, weakened by giving birth to her youngest child only hours before, who had at last confronted the Dread Lord and dueled him in a fierce, stormy contest of magic. Where the Ministry of Magic, International Confederation of Wizards, and magical bounty hunters had found nothing but failure time and time again, Lor Grant had found success. She had entered the Dread Lord's lair, killed nine of his ten top lieutenants, forced the tenth into a shameful retreat, and had at last cornered the Dread Lord, sending him, in the end, to his final home in the Antarctic prison fortress known as Lusankya.
And thus are we led to the second, equal, twin secret. You see, in addition to having brought down the Dread Lord, Lor Grant was also behind the greatest magical cover-up in the history of the United States of America. For even now, fourteen years following the Dread Lord's defeat at her hands, no one knows that the Dread Lord Imperious was, at one time, so many years before, her husband, the father of her four children. Hidden, she has, the fact that the Dread Lord was once the wizard named Matthias Grant, former Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Following his arrest, the few who knew the truth were forced into an Unbreakable Vow by Lor herself, swearing to take with them to their graves these twin secrets. As far as the magical community was concerned, Matthias Grant had died just as he'd lived, a magical hero, killed in the battle that stopped the Dread Lord cold, dead in stopping a monster. To that same wizarding world she was the man's proud widow, keeping his name in honor of what he'd done, though in reality she'd done so only to deflect any awkward questions that would otherwise have arisen. Most mothers all across the planet, witches and muggles alike, always speak of the lengths to which they would travel for their children, of how they would do anything, break any law, to protect their offspring. Lor Grant, however, fitted her words to action. She had determined even before dueling the Dread Lord that none of her children would have to grow up behind the shadows of their father being the Dread Lord and their mother being the one that defeated him, a story of legendary proportions that, she still believed most firmly, would destroy them. She had decided, all those years ago, that none of her children, especially her youngest, her only son, would never have to fight through life just to prove they weren't their father.
The magical world respected Lor Grant for who and what she was. They did know that Imperious had murdered almost all of her family, minus her mother and children, and part of the respect she was now afforded was because of the fact that she had refused to let that keep her down for too long. It had gutted her, yes, and she had grieved, but she'd never forgotten what, who, she still had, and so she had continued to live, and through her memory those dead continued to live on as well. She had dedicated herself to the healing and salvation of those wounded by magic, furthering the Magical Healing Arts in ways so very few others ever had.
The day she had defeated Imperious had frightened her like few things had ever done or ever would. A beast had been unleashed that hour, a monstrosity that the young witch had never known could exist. As she executed (there merely was no other word for what she'd done) those nine lieutenants of the Black Sun she had been thinking of her dead family, using that hatred and need for revenge to fill her up, and the power it gave her fueled her duel of Imperious, pushing both husband and wife to extremes neither had visited before. Lor had known her bloodline, pure, as some would call it, for generations, was powerful, but the power she'd felt that day had made her crazy: for a few moments she had actually considered taking over the Black Suns and finishing what Imperious had started. Had it not been for the memory of her children, who still needed their mother, Lor knew, even to this very day, that she would never have been able to resist the power of the Dark Side. She had thought then, on that fateful day just mere hours after the birth of her final child, that the beast had been slain, never to return. She had slept at night only with security in the knowledge that never again would that monstrosity inside of her rise from its slumber to seize control of her once more. However, as she moved through the muggle shadows towards the spot where her son and Izumi Tatsu were now running, she felt that her celebration of that fact may have indeed been premature.
When her house-elf, Skipper, had arrived in her chambers in the middle of the night to inform her that Elianna Kasumi was again under attack, this time at her home, and that her son had taken an illegal portkey to go to her aid, she had instantly grown furious at the boy's foolish actions. She had left immediately for Washington, alerting the Ministry of Magic to the attack, and immediately the Ministry forces had swung into action, mobilizing the troops, as the muggles might say, and with the full might of the Ministry of Magic in tow, Lor had disapparated for Elianna Kasumi's home, arriving just in time to see (from a distance), Izumi Tatsu run full-speed out of the house's front door, followed closely, to Lor's horror, by none other than Kitch Grant himself. She had followed the pair from the shadows, deciding to wait on interfering. As much as she wanted to stop Tatsu dead in her tracks, Kitch, as Lor reminded herself, had been extremely foolish and stupid with what he'd done, and he needed to learn, sooner rather than later, that she'd not always be there to save him, that he had to begin thinking of the consequences before he committed the action. As she watched her son, the youngest of her four children, writhing on the ground, screaming with pain from the Cruciatus Curse, however, her resolve was tested beyond its limits, and before she'd stopped herself she'd taken a step towards them…
But then a second figure came charging from the battle-damaged Kasumi home, a young girl, her hair flowing out from behind her as she raised her wand, quickly approaching the scene.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" The girl shouted, and with a well-chosen word Izumi Tatsu suddenly ceased her attack on the young wizard, dodging Elianna Kasumi's Disarming Charm only just in time.
"The Ministry of Magic's arrived, you bag of scum, so lay down your wand and step away from my friend, NOW!" The girl shouted, her voice only confirming her identity.
"Stupefy." Izumi said lazily, and immediately Elianna Kasumi crumpled to the ground.
"ELIANNA, NO!" Kitch roared as Izumi Tatsu laughed ever louder.
"You have feelings for her!" She cackled. "You lust after her-don't try to deny it, boy! I can see that look in your eye. You want to feel her lips beneath yours, to feel her soft, smooth, unblemished skin beneath your palms as you go places you know you're forbidden to explore."
Izumi Tatsu's voice dropped to a mere whisper. "You want to feel the soft, jiggling skin of her prepubescent breasts beneath your hands, her nipples hardening as-"
"SHUT IT, YOU DISGUSTING BITCH!" Kitch roared, pathetically lurching forward towards her, making her cackle with joy once more.
"You want to know what it's like to have your hands travel down into places you've never even dreamt of before-"
"I'LL KILL YOU, IZUMI TATSU!" He roared, again, trying to tackle the woman. Again, she laughed.
"You really do care for her, don't you, child? Hmph. Such a useless emotion, such a disgusting weakness. You've lasted well against my torture curses: let's see if the mudblood can do the same."
"NO!"
Lor moved forward to stop the woman, but for some reason she found herself waiting, watching…
"Rennervate!"
Immediately, Elianna began to stir as Izumi Tatsu again took aim.
"CRUCIO!"
What happened next, however, surprised Lor more so than anything else had all night. With a sudden surge of energy, her son leapt forward, perfectly intercepting the Torture Curse meant for his friend, and once more Lor watched in a pained silence as her son writhed on the ground, his screams cutting at her like a hot steel blade.
"KITCH, NO! PLEASE, STOP IT, YOU'RE KILLING HIM!"
And the suddenly it stopped once more, but before Kitch could open his eyes he found himself sailing through the air, landing too far away to help Elianna.
"Will you join me, Kitch Grant?" Izumi Tatsu asked.
"Go suck Merlin's left saggy-"
"Very well then; on the mudblood's head be it." She said, turning once more to face Elianna, her wand raised.
"Don't hurt her-" Kitch begged, now struggling just to hold his head up, and as Izumi Tatsu raised her wand the boy's head fell to the ground.
"Avada-"
"Finish that sentence, Izumi Tatsu, and you will die." Lor said as she aimed her wand at Elianna's body, and as the older woman turned to face her Lor sent a silent Stunner into the girl's body: there were some things she need not know, especially coming from Lor and Izumi Tatsu.
"Why, Lor Grant, it's such a pleasure to see you here!" Izumi squealed like a little girl with a laugh. "At last the big scary mother bear steps out of the shadows to defend her cub: it's so lovable it makes me want to vomit."
"I suppose killing off most of family wasn't enough for you, was it?" Lor asked, her wand now aimed directly at Izumi. You couldn't leave well enough alone, could you? Now you've come back for the life of my son, haven't you? Well, Izumi Tatsu, it ends-"
"Awww shucks, Lor, you don't know me at all, do you? I'd never dream of killing the Dread Lord's only remaining heir-"
"Heir?" Lor asked, her worst fear now confirmed. "The Dread Lord remains where he belongs, in the bowels of Lusankya fortress."
"The Dread Lord will rise again, my dear, 'tis only a matter of time, and when he does return he must begin training an apprentice, an heir, so that once he is gone his legacy will only grow more powerful."
"It makes perfect sense." Lor breathed, that long-dead beast suddenly rearing its ugly head once more. "Attacking Elianna Kasumi and her parents tonight wasn't about vengeance for last night's failed attack on the Thunder Stone; it was to lure Kitch back out into the open so that you could turn him!"
"You're smarter than you look, Lor, I will give you that." Izumi Tatsu laughed. "The boy is powerful, my dear, far more powerful than even I could have guessed; he may perhaps one day surpass even his father's legendary power. When the Dread Lord rises again he will have need to begin training an apprentice, to educate an heir in the ways of the Dark Side so that when he does pass from this life there will be another to take his place and continue his dark legacy."
"Kitch Grant will never go down that path." Lor corrected sternly. "He's nothing like his father."
"Ah, but he is, Lor Grant, he is and you know it. That fear eats you alive from the inside out; you roll in the stench of that fear. He, like his father, rushed ahead into an unknown situation to save his greatest friend. He chased me out of that muggle house to extract revenge. His power flows through him like a raging river, Lor, and that vast store of power is just begging to be unleashed. The only difference is that Lord Imperious would not have hesitated to kill his enemies in this situation-"
"And that's what makes Kitch nothing like his father, what will ensure that he will never follow in his father's footsteps down the path of self-ruin and destruction."
"Don't pretend, Lor Grant; we both know the only reason the boy's failed to kill anyone is because he has yet to learn how to unleash his rage and fury. Once that particular obstacle is overcome, however, nothing can stop the boy from taking the place at the Dread Lord's side."
"That will never happen, Izumi Tatsu."
"The Dread Lord has declared that the boy be named as his true heir, and so shall it be: none can stand against the power of the Dark Side."
"You know, that's funny: Voldemort used to say the exact same thing, and look what it got him." Lor laughed. "In his quest for immortality he killed all who stood before him, and yet, in the end, a mere infant stopped him dead in his tracks. A one-year-old baby defeated the darkest wizard in history where all others failed, and he didn't even try, didn't even know, what he was doing."
"The Dark Lord was a fool for believing he could truly live forever in this realm." Izumi spat. "The Dread Lord will remain forever immortal, yes, but not in this physical realm: his legacy of terror shall ensure it. The Dark Lord got exactly what he deserved."
"As did your master." Lor countered. "Imperious is even now rotting away in a cell in Lusankya prison."
"The Dread Lord will return-"
"Over my cold, lifeless corpse." Lor challenged, stepping closer to Izumi Tatsu.
"That, my dear Lor Grant, is the precise idea I had in mind. Avada Kedavra!"
Lor spun around, cleanly dodging the curse that had suddenly escaped Izumi Tatsu's wand. Before the other witch had time to attack again, however, Lor was sending her Stunner at the woman, forcing her to dodge as well.
Izumi Tatsu responded in kind, but this time Lor never moved. Instead, deciding to show Tatsu just how powerful she really was, Lor pointed her wand at the ground and gave it sharp flick. Instantly, responding to her un-questionable power, several rocks exploded from the earth, sending a shower of dark brown dirt in every direction. The largest of those rocks exploded as it intercepted Izumi Tatsu's Killing Curse, and then, before the dark witch could press her attack, Lor gave her wand another flick, once more pointing it directly at the woman. Instantly, still under her full control, the rocks charged forward as one unit, pummeling Tatsu relentlessly all over her body.
"The Dark Lord couldn't stand up to my full power fourteen years ago." Lor said as she continued her assault. "What makes you think you have any chance against me now?"
Izumi Tatsu, in response, laughed, and with a wave of her wand the rocks were suddenly charging back at Lor, who had only just enough time to raise her wand and give it a hurried counter-clockwise spin, instantly turning the rocks she'd summoned to the finest dust.
Even through this cloud of brown, hazy dust came yet another green flash of light, and now thinking as she moved the matriarch of the Grant family side-stepped the curse, and even as she landed she was launching yet another counter-attack.
A gargantuan tongue of flames hissed away from her wand, stretching out and engulfing the woman known as Izumi Tatsu. A triumphant smile on her face, Lor watched as the fire burnt her adversary to a crisp, waiting for over a full minute before she finally called the attack off. When the flames disappeared, however, Izumi Tatsu was gone, gone as though she'd never even existed.
The hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood on end, and as she realized the danger she was in the woman spun around…watching as a looming tree came toppling down on top of her.
Turning her wand skyward, Lor gave her wand a sloppy swish and flick movement, muttering the words "Wingardium Leviosa." just as rapidly, but the charm still held, keeping the massive pine tree only feet from her head. With a series of rapid twirls and swirls of her wand, the tree was suddenly gone, replaced by a massive cheetah that turned and charged Izumi Tatsu, who in turn defended herself with yet another Killing Curse.
"That's your greatest weakness, you filthy scum." Lor said, advancing towards the woman. "You rely too much on the Unforgivable Curses: you fail to realize that there is greater magic, more powerful magic, than those three curses."
Tatsu laughed. "Nothing can match my power!" She bellowed. "Only the Dread Lord is greater than I! And now I shall prove it! Avada-"
"Expelliarmus!" Lor shouted, and, caught off guard, Izumi Tatsu was helpless as she watched her wand sail away in the night.
"Incarcerous Vigilanteous!" Lor bellowed, seizing her opportunity. Thin, silvery ropes shot forward from her wand, wrapping themselves firmly around Tatsu's body. However, instead of separating themselves from Lor's wand like normal for the spell, the silvery strands stayed attached to her wand's tip, and with another sharp flick of her wrist Lor brought her wand up into a vertical hold, much like one might do with a sword. Smiling, Lor took her free left index finger and brought it up, holding it just above the tip of her wand, where the silvery ropes were still hanging on.
"How's this for power?" Lor asked, and without further ado she pressed her index finger firmly against the slivery ropes. Instantly blue arcs of electrical energy, blue lightening, sprang forward, tracing down the silvery ropes as they raced for their target.
Tatsu's screams filled the night as the bolts of lightening tore into her body, smoke curling from her skin and her hair frizzing up in every direction as it, too, began to burn. Keeping her fingers against the tip of her wand, Lor kept up her magical assault, watching in silence as Izumi Tatsu continued screaming.
Finally, after several long, scream-filled moments, Lor lifted her finger from her wand and turned her wand back behind her, releasing Tatsu from her grip. Badly injured, her entire body and even her hair burned, Izumi Tatsu crumpled to the ground, whimpering as Lor closed in on her, her wand outstretched.
"You're done, Izumi Tatsu." Lor declared, relishing her victory. "You-"
She was cut off, however, as, in a sudden flash of movement Lor would never have thought possible, Tatsu flung up a handful of dirt into Lor's eyes, temporarily blinding her and giving the other woman the chance she needed to return to her feet and regain her wand.
"Avada-"
Tatsu's sentence, however, was cut off as several more shouts filled the air, voices Lor recognized…
"Well, my dear, it looks like we'll just have to wait until next time, won't we? After all, it'd not do well for me to get captured, not with the Dread Lord preparing to make his return."
And with a familiar popping sound Lor knew Izumi Tatsu was gone, that she had escaped once more, after coming so close…
With a wave of her wand Lor cleared the dirt from her eyes, and, forcing that beast deep inside of her to return to its undisturbed slumber, she turned her attention to her son and his best friend, both whom were still out cold on the ground where they'd fallen, the two children who had foolishly, valiantly, tried to defeat Izumi Tatsu.
She inspected her son first, definitely the worse for wear, but after only a minute she was confident that he'd pull through just fine, and, with that confidence, she turned her attention to Elianna Kasumi.
"Rennervate." Lor muttered softly as she waved her wand over the young girl, and instantly the girl began to stir once more.
"Mrs. Grant!" She gasped as she fought to sit up. "Is it really you?"
Lor nodded her head. "It is, Elianna."
"K-Kitch, is he…is he okay?"
"He's suffered a great deal of torture from the Cruciatus Curse in the past twenty-four hours, but yes, he should make a full recovery."
"And momma? Daddy? Melody?"
"I-"
"They're all fine, given the circumstances." A new woman's voice said, and as Lor looked up the voice's owner reached her side, her eyes and hair the same brown color as Lor's own…
"Hey Jessica." Lor and Elianna greeted together before the girl turned her attention back to her friend's mother.
"Mrs. Grant, who was that woman?"
"Izumi Tatsu." Lor answered, the beast inside of her giving a great snore as though threatening to wake up once more. "She was once the Dread Lord's second-in-command."
"Makes sense." Elianna answered. "She was clearly in charge, both last night and tonight." The girl frowned. "Wait a minute…I thought the Dread Lord was serving a life sentence in Lusankya."
"He is." Jessica answered. "The Minister of Magic himself confirmed that Imperious is still incarcerated within the fortress."
"Then he's figured out how to run the Black Suns from inside of Lusankya, despite having limited, supervised contact with the outside world." Lor concluded, turning back to her son once more. "And they want Kitch as his apprentice, hence tonight's attack."
"You mean this was all just to draw Kitch out into the open?" Jessica asked. Lor only nodded as she turned her wand on her son.
"Mobilicorpus."
Kitch's body levitated immediately into the air as Elianna retrieved both her and Kitch's wands, handing Lor the one that belonged to her son. Pocketing her son's wand, Lor grabbed Elianna's hand with her own free hand, and, with her daughter by her side, led the two teens back up to the house.
"Mom," Jessica Grant asked. "Kitch…is he-?"
"He'll be fine." Lor repeated. "His foolishness didn't get him killed this time. Once I get him home and in his own bed he ought to make a full recovery."
"You're sure?"
"I'm positive, honey. Now, what do you know so far?"
"It's a total mess, as per usual." Jessica said, turning her gaze to her brother's friend. "Elianna, I've spoken with your parents and sister: you're to be commended, I suppose: not many thirteen year-olds could have held their own against half the Black Suns like you did."
"Thanks."
At that moment, as they approached the front door, a tall, thin, middle-aged woman appeared in the doorway, her auburn "Bob"-styled hair glistening eerily in the dim light of the muggle home.
"Jessica, both the Minister and I agree that the Kasumi family is no longer safe here as long as the Black Suns remain at large. We're preparing a safe-house in-"
"Yvonne," Lor interrupted as she glanced over at Elianna. "May I make a suggestion?"
"Of course, my old friend; you shouldn't even have to ask. After all, your opinion carries great weight in this office."
"Thank you." Lor said with a slight incline of her head. "Elianna Kasumi is a close friend of my son's, hence his…rash…decision to come blazing in here tonight on his own to help her. If they are sent to a safe-house they will be allowed no contact at all with anyone on the outside, right?"
"Yeah," Jessica answered. "Why?"
"Kitch and Elianna both have already lost one friend this week: I don't believe it's wise for them to lose another so soon."
"Yes," Yvonne responded. "I do see your point. But what-"
"Why don't we arrange it so that we can move the Kasumi family out to Oak Acres with us?" Lor asked. "We have more than enough room, it's as safe as any safe house the Ministry could set up, no offense, of course."
"Hmmm…you do have a valid idea: even if they could happen across the place, it'd be suicidal to attack you there. Very well, I will need to speak with the Minister, and the girl's parents will need to permit it, but barring that, I see no problems with it."
"Jessica," Lor said, turning her attention to her oldest daughter. "Take Elianna back to her parents and inform them of the situation; do what you must to persuade them. Once they have their belongings packed bring them to the house. I'm going to go ahead and take Kitch home and get him treated."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Lor." Yvonne cut in. "Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to take Kitch to St. Woodruff's?"
"Nah, I'm sure he'll be just fine." Lor answered. "Izumi Tatsu didn't have as much time to torture him as she'd have liked, so he'll make a speedy recovery." While her son's grievous wounds weren't nothing she couldn't handle, Lor admitted to herself that she had a second, secret motive for taking her son home. If he was at home, she knew, then he'd be safe from any follow-up kidnapping attempt the Black Suns would launch, who, she reminded herself, may be secretly patrolling the magical hospital at that very moment, just waiting for their prize to arrive.
"I meant not to imply that your skills and powers are inferior to the healers of St. Woodruff's, of course; I was saying merely that you've had a long night and are running on fumes."
"I know you didn't Yvonne, but familiar surroundings and comfort both aid in the healing process. Now, if you'll excuse me."
"Of course, old friend."
"I'll see you both later, old friend." Lor answered as she grabbed her son's hand and disapparated, relieved to at last be going back home.
Jessica Grant, meanwhile, lead Elianna back into the battered battleground that had, only an hour before, been her home. Elianna, relieved that her friend was going to be okay, felt suddenly tired beyond the point of exhaustion, as though it'd been years since she last had any sleep. Stopping as she yawned, Jessica turned around to regard the girl, and as she bent down and dabbed Elianna's forehead with the hem of her cloak she offered Elianna a cold, appraising type of look.
"You should be proud of yourself, Elianna." The older woman said. "You've done great things here tonight."
"Thanks." She answered weakly.
"Don't worry yourself too much about my stupid, foolish brother." Jessica answered, her voice holding none of the warmth her mother's had. "Mom'll have him back up and on his feet in no time."
"I know." Elianna answered. "I just feel…I don't know."
"You've been through two battles with the Black Suns in just twenty-four hours: I'm surprised you're even standing. What you've accomplished is nothing short of miraculous: by all accounts both you and my fool-of-a-brother ought to be dead."
"Yeah, well, Raven taught us well."
"Yes, we really must thank her." Jessica said, her voice failing to hide the cold displeasure she obviously felt at her sister's actions, which, of course, hardly surprised Elianna. After all, the young teen recalled, Jessica had been furious when she'd learned Raven had taught Kitch and his friends how to properly use a Stunning Spell two years sooner than the Ministry preferred.
"Jessie, I know you disapprove of Raven training us in magic we shouldn't know yet, but I really think that magic saved our lives: I don't think we'd have survived last night had we not known how to Stun."
"That's still no reason for my sister to always break the law when she feels the need." Jessica reprimanded firmly. "There's a good reason you're not taught Stunners until your fifth year at GAME Island." She sighed. "Still, I can't pretend I'm not happy you three survived, especially my stupid little-"
"Lay off of him already." Elianna snapped, approaching Jessica. "I know he was stupid, and foolish, for charging after me by myself, but you'll forgive me for not being mad at him, okay? He saved my life, for crying out loud!"
"And you'll forgive me for being pissed that he risked his neck in such a way: do you think I like seeing my kid brother carried off like a corpse? You're supposed to be his best friend, and yet you seem to care not for him but only for the fact that he saved your-"
"Hark who's talking." Elianna countered coldly. "Raven, despite her outer appearances, cared about him, and us, enough to teach us a spell the Ministry thinks is too advanced for our age. Zannah and your mother both show us how much they care every chance they can, and though Duran and Billy would die before making such a confession, they too care, and we know it. You, however, care only whether or not we're obeying every little rule to the letter."
"Listen here, you little brat." Jessica growled, suddenly towering over Elianna. "I do care about my brother, and his friends. So curse me if I don't want to see any of you expelled, or imprisoned, or-"
"You know, that's what I always told him whenever he would complain about the way you act. I think now, however, that I see the truth."
"I would choose my next words very carefully, girl-"
"All you care about, Jessica Grant, is whether or not your brother and his stupid little friends will reflect badly on your reputation at the Ministry. I mean, it makes perfect sense, doesn't it?"
"How dare you-"
"You're greatest dream is to become the youngest Minister of Magic in history, and the first female to hold the title of American Minister to boot! How could you possibly achieve that dream if your brother, your little brother, is constantly breaking school rules or Ministry laws right under your nose?"
"You're in dangerous territory, child-"
Elianna laughed. "Please, Pax Onasi scared me more than you ever will."
Jessica said nothing, and seizing her momentum Elianna rolled on. "You are the one in dangerous territory, Jessica Grant. Think of all the Ministry laws Kitch has broken tonight: using an unauthorized portkey, performing magic in the presence of muggles, using magic outside of school, improper use of magic…I mean, do you really want me to continue on, because trust me, I can."
"Do you think I care-"
"About your brother?" Eliana finished, her temper rising in such a way as she'd never felt before. "I would like to think so, but no, right now it's impossible to see how you care about him. All you care about is your ambitious goal in life, and what it will take to achieve that goal. I'm surprised you didn't arrest him and chuck him into Lusankya the moment you arrived, you know, show the wizarding world how strong your zero tolerance policy is?"
Jessica Grant's eyes had gone oddly blank as she stared down at Elianna, who still refused to back down.
"You stand there, pretending to care about your brother, well let me ask you this, Jessica. How many times in the past four years, how many times in total, has Kitch needed someone there at his side to comfort him, huh? How many times has he had problems and needed a helping hand or a kind word? And how many times, in all of those situations, has it been you, Jessica Grant, you and not me, Pax, Tabby, your mother, your sisters, Duran, or Billy, that's there to comfort him, how many times have you made him feel better with just a kind word or a pat on the back?"
Nothing.
"You don't know, do you?"
Nothing.
"That's exactly the answer I knew I was going to get." Elianna continued with a shake of her head. "You disgust me, Jessica Grant. You're no better than that Tatsu woman-"
Jessica Grant's right arm was a blur of motion as it went for her wand, but Elianna, who still had her wand in her hand, had the advantage, and, pushing back the battle fatigue that had taken over her earlier, she shoved the tip of her wand up under her best friend's chin.
"Give me one good reason, I beg you." Elianna pleaded. "Because honestly, right now, after what's just happened, cursing a Ministry official and a Black Sun member really does seem to be the same exact thing. I could get away with it, you know? After all, as you said earlier, I've just held off half the Black Sun Syndicate by myself, and I'm only thirteen years old. I've been through too much, so it'd be considered only natural if you spooked me and, me being a little jumpy after tonight's events, accidentally cursed you."
"You dare threaten a Ministry official?"
"Oh yes, I do dare. Wanna know why I dare to do so? Huh, do you?"
Nothing.
"Your brother, Kitch Matthias Grant, is my best friend in this entire world, in this entire universe. He's been there for me at times when no one else was. Of all the people who know about my past, about where I've come from, he was the first person to tell me that it was okay, that the past didn't own me, that only I owned me. Tell me, Jessica Grant, do you know what the title of 'Best Friend' means?"
Jessica Grant said nothing but continued staring into Elianna's eyes.
"Of course, how could I be so stupid?" Elianna mocked. "I mean, you have no friends. All you have are colleagues, allies, contacts, and enemies. Well, not to worry, I'll explain it to you. See, a best friend is always there for you, no matter what, through thick or thin, through it all, a best friend is that one person who's a cut above the rest, that one person who can be depended on to, no matter what, be there when you need them. A best friend will never let you live down that most embarrassing mistake, and they will forever remind you of that romantic relationship you'd prefer to forget. A best friend will be there to take a curse for you, to have your back against anything that comes at you, ready to protect you from anyone, even your own family. A best friend is the one who tells you that doing something stupid is stupid, the one who explains just how stupid doing that something is, and that same best friend is right there by your side when you do that stupid something anyways. Your brother, Jessica, is my best friend, and I am sick and tired of you always treating him like some common criminal. Sick of it, I tell you. Your brother jumped in front of a Cruciatus Curse meant for me. He could have just laid there and pretended to be too hurt to move, and I'd never have blamed him for it; he should have just laid there, but he did not. She hit him with it before and instead of copping out he got up and asked for more. Your brother's a far greater sorcerer than you'll ever dream of being, and he's only fourteen." Elianna laughed as she lowered her wand. "Oddly enough, even now, I don't hate you or even dislike you: I feel sorry for you, Jessica Grant."
Jessica Grant, after several minutes, finally moved, but this time she made only to stow her wand away before turning and leading Elianna on through the house, back upstairs and back, once more, into her devastated bedroom.
Instantly her fight with her best friend's older sister was gone from her mind as her adopted parents and little sister jumped up off of her magically repaired bed and rushed forward as one unit to embrace her tightly, and Elianna, so relieved to see them all unharmed.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kasumi, you should very well be proud of your daughter: what she has done tonight, the bravery and the sheer guts she's shown us all, is something even grown, fully trained wizards have a near-impossible time doing."
As Jessica spoke her voice was even, the same as usual, but nevertheless Elianna had the oddest sense that the older witch meant more than just the fight against the Black Suns.
"W-we a-are pr-proud of…of h-her." Mrs. Kasumi sobbed as she hugged Elianna even harder.
"Now?" Her father asked, breaking the embrace a moment later. "Do you see now why we wanted you to cease your education in this abomination? Look at how much danger you've put yourself and your sister in-"
"Daddy-"
"With all due respect, Mr. Kasumi," Jessica interrupted. "Did you just say you want Elianna to stop her magical education, now, before it's complete?"
The man nodded his head. "I told her earlier she should have just let me snapped that stick of hers in half-"
"Again, Mr. Kasumi, with all due respect, that's damn well the stupidest idea I've ever heard, and you can trust me when I tell you that that is saying something."
"Listen-"
"No, sir, you listen." Jessica countered. "What do you really think would have happened earlier had you snapped your daughter's wand?"
"She'd have been safe from those demons who attacked us tonight. She would-"
"Be dead." Jessica finished. "Had her wand been snapped prior to this attack there is no way she could have saved your lives tonight. She'd not have been able to use magic of her own, nor would she have capable of alerting my brother, who in turn would never have been able to raise the alarm that the Black Suns had attacked. You would all be dead and we'd likely still know nothing about it."
"No, if she'd been normal they'd have had no reason-"
"But they would have, sir." Jessica countered. "You see, I'm going to tell you something, something only a handful of people know right now, but I need your word no one else will find out."
"What?"
"That group of demons, as you called them, are after my kid brother, the same little brother who came in tonight to save your lives. They want him, and to get to him they attacked the only one of his friends they could reach." She finished, pointing at Elianna as she did so. "Neither of them knew it, but by activating that Galleon portkey he played right into their hands."
No one said anything else as husband and wife looked one another in the eyes, silent as though their eyes were doing their communicating for them. Finally, after several more silent moments…
"I stand by what I said earlier, Elianna." The man answered firmly. "I believe that God has spoken, that he has shown us the error of letting you study magic. I won't-"
"Elianna," Jessica cut in. "You and your sister both look like you could use something to drink. Won't you take care of that?"
Elianna, taken aback, knew perfectly well that Jessica was only trying to get her out of the room so that the adults could talk in private, but at the moment she was so tired she didn't even consider arguing.
"Come on, Mel, let's go get some juice."
"Okay." The small girl answered, and, grabbing her sister's hand, Elianna led the girl out of the room, leaving the adults to their private discussion.
"Now," Jessica said, once Elianna was gone. "Mr. Kasumi, Mrs. Kasumi, I know you love Elianna unconditionally, and I know you'd do anything to help her. You're great people, and excellent parents, I can tell that just by looking at the two of you. However, please, I beg you, do not let your fear cause you to do something we'll all regret, something that will end up destroying Elianna down the road."
"Destroy her?" The man asked, his voice getting up. "Those demons nearly did that tonight! It's only because God Himself had His hand over her-"
"Or it's because of Elianna's god-given magical abilities, and the training she's had so far, that saved her. You saw her, tonight, you bore witness to the skills the girl has: can you honestly stand there and tell me that God, any god, hates that?"
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." The man said. "Those words are from His Holy Word-"
"I cannot believe that any god anywhere would allow that kind of power to remain unchecked if he or she didn't like it." Jessica challenged. "If God hates magic, as you said, then why did he, as you also said, have his hand over her, protecting her? Why not let her be condemned to hell for it?"
"He's giving us a sign," The man responded immediately. "Showing us the error of our ways, giving us the chance we need to turn back from this sin and repent-"
"Or perhaps he is giving you a sign but you're reading it wrong." Jessica again challenged. "Perhaps, in seeing the conclusion you've drawn about her magical education, he's given you a second sign, in the form of this surprise attack, to try and show you how pleased he is with Elianna and her magical skills. Perhaps maybe, just maybe, he wishes for that witch to live because maybe, just maybe, it's his will or her destiny that she continue with her magical education." The man said nothing as he again looked at his wife, half pleading for help, half afraid that Jessica just might be onto something.
"Mr. Kasumi, Elianna is a witch: the blood that flows through her veins is as magical as anyone's: if that magic goes untrained, undefined, it will become like a wildfire, powerful, deadly, uncontrollable, destroying anything and everything in its path. That, in and of itself, is a major threat to the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy. In addition, it could endanger her own personal welfare as well as the lives of those around her."
"I-"
"Therefore, if I have to enact Section Six of Clause Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-One point Five of The Protection of Underage Sorcerers Act, I will."
"I-eh…what?"
"Section Six of Clause Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-One point Five of The Protection of Underage Sorcerers Act gives the Ministry of Magic to pull underage witches and wizards from their homes if the investigative authority, that's me, decides and can prove that said witch's parents, muggle or magical, is planning or have committed actions that could endanger the welfare of aforementioned witch or anyone around her."
"So that means you can take her?"
"Into a wizarding version of what you muggles call foster care, yes." Jessica answered.
"You wouldn't-"
"I would." Jessica answered, not blinking as she bore her eyes into the father of her little brother's best friend. "You see, by refusing to allow her to finish her magical education you threaten her and yourselves, as I've already explained, and in addition you jeopardize my little brother's well-being."
"What?" Mrs. Kasumi asked. "How's that possible?"
"Because, as long as Elianna's out here in the muggle world the Black Suns will continue attacking her to get at Kitch, and as long as Elianna's in danger nothing short of a cell in Lusankya will stop my stupid little brother from being their to protect her, and were something to actually happen to her…" Jessica trailed off, forcing those thoughts from her mind.
"I'm giving you a choice, Mr. and Mrs. Kasumi: I know neither of you wish to lose Elianna any more than I want to take her from you. However, I will do it, if I'm left no other choice."
"That Ministry woman said something about a safe house…"
"We were preparing a safe house for you, yes. That, however, has changed, with your consent."
"How so?" Mr. Kasumi asked.
"If we put you into a Ministry safe house, you will have to stay there, full time, until this situation is resolved. That could take a couple of days, or a few weeks, several months, or even several years. You would be allowed to never leave as long as the Black Suns were active: it'd be too dangerous. In the past twenty-four hours Elianna and Kitch have lost one of their friends: we all agree that it's too soon for them to lose another."
"What is it you're suggesting, then?" He asked.
"My mother has extended an invitation for you, your wife, and the girls to come move in with us. It's as safe, if not safer, than any Ministry safe house, you'll be free to visit the city whenever you want, and it will keep Elianna and Kitch close enough: I believe mom plans on moving Tabitha Harding in as well once she's cleared from St. Woodruff's."
"W-we couldn't." The man stuttered. "We couldn't put your family out like-"
"There'd be no inconvenience, none at all." Jessica interrupted. "We have way more than enough room, believe me. Actually, too much room, if truth be told."
"I suppose we'd better pack then." The man answered, giving his wife a defeated look.
"Of course." Jessica answered. "And Mr. Kasumi, don't worry: it'll all be okay."
"I pray to God you're right, Ms. Grant. Now, if you'll excuse us…"
"Of course." Jessica answered again, offering the man a slight bow. "I have some work I must do as well before we leave. Meet me downstairs when you're ready, sir."
Jessica turned and strode silently out the door, and as she approached the steps she found her path blocked by Elianna and Melody, both of whom were now coming up the stairs.
"Better hurry up and pack girls." She said, stepping aside to allow the two passed.
"Where we going?" Elianna asked.
"Safe house." Jessica responded, leaving it at that as she continued downstairs. She kept her mind focused on the task at hand as she worked, not letting the words Elianna had said earlier reenter her mind.
As Yvonne handed her a piece of parchment to sign several minutes later, Elianna reappeared with her luggage at her side, ready to go.
"Jessica."
"Yeah?" She answered once she'd handed her boss the quill back.
"Did you really threaten my parents to seize custody of me with Section Six of Clause Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-One point Five of The Protection of Underage Sorcerers Act?"
"I did." Jessica confirmed, giving her wand a wave to send Elianna's luggage on through to Oak Acres.
"But Section Six of Clause Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Twenty-One point Five of The Protection of Underage Sorcerers Act doesn't-"
"Exist?" Jessica finished, casting the girl a brief wink. "I know that, and you know that, but your parents don't know that, now do they?"
{Location: Oak Acres, Northeast Arkansas, United States of America}
Lor, immediately following her departure from Elianna's home, had gotten down to work. As soon as she'd gotten Kitch home and administered the proper medical treatment and ensured that he was safely in his bed, she'd contacted several old friends within the Ministry of Magic and called in countless favors to begin the immediate transfer of Tabitha Harding from St. Woodruff's Center for Magical Maladies to Oak Acres, where Lor was confident the Black Suns would be unable to reach her. After all, as Lor had told every last one of those contacts, including the Grand Healer of St. Woodruff's, with Elianna Kasumi now in safety, the Black Suns would likely go for the next easiest target, that being the girl who lay even now unconscious. Not ready for another repeat of the events of the past twenty-four hours, Lor had not taken "no" for an answer, with the result being that as Jessica walked through the front doors to the Oak Acres Mansion, Lor had just finished ensuring that Tabitha, like Kitch, was now healing comfortably.
"You look beat, mom; you okay?" Jessica asked as she shut the front door behind them.
"I'll be fine." Lor answered with a nod of her head. "I've just finished taking care of Kitch and getting Tabitha settled in comfortably-"
"Tabby's here?" Elianna interrupted. "Where?"
"Relax, dear, she's upstairs, as unconscious as she was at St. Woodruff's."
"Why'd you move her?"
"Because, Elianna, you are now as safe as possible from the Black Suns, meaning that the Black Suns can no longer use you as bait to get at Kitch, nor could they harm you as retribution for what you've done to them. I decided it'd be best to move Tabitha here as well for the same reasons."
"But St. Woodruff's safe, isn't it?"
"Relatively." Lor answered, patting the girl on the shoulders. "But still, it's vulnerable. Here, you're all safe."
"Thanks, Mrs. Grant, for everything."
"It's no problem, honey." She said, turning to face Elianna's silent parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Kasumi, it's so nice to finally meet you. I'm Lor Grant, Kitch's mother. I'm sorry for what you've just gone through-"
"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am." He answered. "I'm Daniel, and this is my wife, Alice."
"And this is our youngest daughter, Melody." Alice said as the girl failed to stifle a large yawn.
"I'm sure you're all exhausted after tonight's events. SKIPPER!"
With an ear-splitting CRACK! Skipper the house-elf appeared in their midst, causing Elianna's mother to jump as she placed her hand quickly over her mouth.
"This is Skipper," Lor explained. "Our faithful little house-elf. Skipper, I want you to take Elianna's parents and her sister and their luggage up to their rooms, okay?"
"Of course, mistress Lor, Skipper would be happy to."
"Elianna, you mind staying down here for a few minutes? There's a few things I'd like to talk to you about. Jessica," Lor said as the rest of Elianna's family followed Skipper up the massive stairs to their rooms. "This just came from Yvonne." She finished, handing her daughter an already-open letter, and, as Jessica read the letter Lor led Elianna into the family den, where she beckoned for the young witch to take a seat.
"Right then." Jessica said, putting the letter in her cloak. "Okay Elianna, there's a few questions I need to ask, okay?"
"Sure."
"Can you tell me how, exactly, the Black Suns came to be in your home?"
"Well, momma and daddy were arguing about whether or not I should be allowed to continue my magical education." She began. "I interrupted, told them I wasn't going to just leave the magical world, and then I went outside."
"You ran away?" Jessica asked. Elianna, however, shook her head.
"I was rather…distraught after our argument. I mean, I threatened to curse my daddy…"
"I understand." Jessica answered, and, silent, Lor continued to listen to her daughter, even though there appeared to be no empathy at all in her daughter's voice. "What happened next?"
"Melody came outside to check on me, and a few minutes later I noticed the Black Suns were walking up the road towards our house; they were about a hundred yards or so away."
"You knew they were Black Suns, even in the middle of the night from that distance?" Jessica asked, skepticism etched in her voice.
"Not at first." Elianna answered quickly. "I didn't know who they were until they passed underneath one of the street lamps; that's when I recognized their robes."
"What happened next?"
""I took Melody and ran back inside. I tried to tell momma and daddy to take her and run, that I would hold them back to give them some time-"
"You actually believed you could hold them all off at once?"
"I knew I was dead." Elianna answered back. "I was fully prepared to die in order to let them escape-"
"Keep going, then."
Lor had a sudden, sneaking suspicion that she knew where Jessica was going with these questions, but the oldest of her children ignored her when she shot the girl a look of warning.
"They refused. They wouldn't leave, no matter what I said, not even when the Black Suns blew apart the front door. Before I could persuade them, the they broke down the back door-"
"They?"
"The Black Suns."
"Keep going."
"That's when I decided to retreat to my bedroom. It was a better-defended area, and I had my galleon in the table beside my bed, so I knew I could get a hold of Kitch-"
"You knew he'd come to you?"
"I suspected, but I'd hoped not. I had hoped that he'd go get Mrs. Grant or you and let-"
"Come on Elianna, you can do better than that." Jessica interjected. "You knew full well what my brother would do, especially after last night's attack on GAME Island."
"I knew there was a chance he would, but I'd hoped he'd learned better after what happened last night, after he saw Pax-"
"Very well." Jessica interrupted again. "Keep going."
"Jessica." Lor warned again, though Jessica still ignored her.
"We finally got to my room and I had momma and daddy move my dresser in front of my door while I found my galleon and activated it."
"And then what happened?"
"They blasted my door apart and hit me with a Stunner. When I came back to Kitch was there, standing over me."
"Do you know what happened between the moment you were Stunned and when you came back to?"
"According to Kitch and my parents, Melody grabbed my wand, pointed it at the Black Suns, screamed, and then destroyed half the house with a cannon blast."
"Accidental magic?"
"I would assume so." Lor interjected. "I mean, the girl's not even old enough to begin school yet; how would she be able to purposely use that level of magic?"
Jessica shot Lor a glare before ordering Elianna to continue with her story.
"We fought them off for several more minutes, including the moment where Kitch surrendered and bluffed them into thinking we were disarmed. And then that Tatsu woman, who'd been goading him the whole time, finally made him come after her."
"What did Izumi Tatsu say that caused Kitch to go after her?"
"She said 'I'm out of here, Kitch Grant! But don't fret; I'll make sure to give your daddy your regards when I go for my visit next!'
"Keep going."
Kitch went after her, and as he left the Black Suns stormed the house, and that's when you Ministry lot arrived. I went after Kitch and arrived as she was torturing him. I tried to disarm her, but she was too strong: she stunned me. When I came back to She was attempting to use the Cruciatus Curse on me as well, but Kitch jumped between us and took the curse himself. And then-"
"Yes?"
"It's odd?"
"Odd? What's odd?"
"I was knocked out again, but I don't know how-"
"That was me, I'm afraid." Lor answered.
"You?" The girls asked in unison. Lor, in turn, nodded her head. "I figured it'd be best for you to be out of the way, my dear, while I took care of Izumi."
"Umm…okay." Elianna answered. "Well, Jessica, that's it: you know the rest of it from there."
"The galleon portkeys." Jessica said, moving on without preamble. "Where'd you get them? Who made them?"
"Pax did, a year ago." She answered.
"Impossible: no twelve year-old boy has that kind of magic-"
"Pax was the smartest person on GAME Island, teacher or student. He came up with them so that we could always call for help if one of us got separated and in trouble."
"He created them knowing that it's illegal to set up portkeys without Ministry authorization?"
"Of course."
"And you've used them in the past, knowing that they're illegal."
"Nope."
"You mind running that by me again?" Jessica asked, stopped cold.
"Of course." Elianna answered. "Never before, up until tonight, did any of us ever use the portkey aspect of the galleons in any way, shape, form or fashion. We never had cause to need to do so, nor did we ever get a chance to properly field test them."
"You mean to tell me that you retreated to your bedroom to use a galleon that may or may not work?"
Eliana nodded her head. "Like you said, Pax was only twelve when he made them. He himself admitted that there was a chance he got it wrong."
"You risked the lives of your family, and yourself, on a gamble that very well may not have worked?"
"What other choice did I have?" Elianna asked with a shrug of her shoulders. "The communication aspect of the coins worked perfectly when we were near one another, but, as Pax said, so much of our magic depends on proximity, so he had no real way of knowing for sure if they'd work in a real emergency or not."
"How do they work?" Jessica asked.
"All Pax said about the spell was that it's a N.E.W.T.-level spell he came across one day. You press the tip of your wand to the face of the galleon, say 'Help Me', and instantly the other galleons burn in response, letting their owners know that the origin is in trouble. Once they touch it with their hands the galleon goes cold, then they need only press the tip of their wand to their galleon's face, and it teleports them instantly to the original's owner."
"What else?"
"The galleon's face changes to show the name of the person activating their galleon, their health status, and their geological location."
"Very advanced magic, indeed." Jessica mused. "How could you be sure Kitch would have his coin on him tonight?"
"He's not our squad leader, but he still takes it seriously: from the moment Pax gave them to us he's never been without it, not even in the shower, not even when he sleeps."
"I see. Okay, about the attack on GAME Island last night-"
"I've already given my statement, haven't I?"
"You have." Jessica responded coolly. "However, there are still a few questions we need answers to."
"Okay; I'll answer as best I can."
"I'm sure you will." Jessica answered back, her voice as cool as ever. "Who, exactly, was the first of your squad to realize what was going on?"
"Kitch was."
"How?"
"He woke up for a drink in the middle of the night. He began screaming that we were under attack, but none of us believed him."
"Why not?"
"We were tired and assumed it was another of his nightmares." Elianna answered. "He's woke up in the middle of the night several times in the past, thinking we were being invaded because of a nightmare."
"What happened to make you realize it was real?" "Our door being blasted open and Kitch using a Stunner."
"Do you remember anything out of the ordinary?"
"Aside from the place crawling with the Black Suns and burning to the ground, you mean?"
"I mean," Jessica snapped. "Did you see or notice anyone acting strange last night? Maybe someone hiding out, letting events unfurl on their own-"
"I'm sure several children were hiding from the Black Suns." Elianna fired back. "Why?"
"And you can account for the whereabouts of your entire squad the whole time, Duran and Billy Detreo included?"
"Hardly not." Elianna said. "When the decision was made to split the squad up Pax and Tabitha went for the Floo House while Kitch, Duran, Billy and I went to retrieve the Thunder Stone-"
"Who decided to split the squad up?"
"Kitch did."
"Had you heard anyone talking about the Thunder Stone at all during the days and weeks leading up to the attack?"
"Not that I can remember."
"Whose idea was it to free the Stone from its case-"
"I don't know: I wasn't there when it happened; Kitch went after Tatsu and the Thunder Stone by himself: Duran, Billy, and I couldn't make it past her comrades."
"According to what survived of the school logs, you were the student assigned to shutting the Floo House up for the night last night, were you not?"
"I was." Elianna answered back. Lor, who was now ready to curse her daughter, forced herself to remain silent, biding her time… "It's custom for the squad leaders to take turns every night locking the Floo House down."
"And when you retired for the night the Floo House was fully locked down, as per Ministry guidelines and laws?"
"I know the laws of the Floo House well." Elianna countered. "The Floo House shall be fully locked down at precisely ten thirty in the p.m. every night. This includes pulling the magic-proof grates over each and every fire place and locking the main door, which in turn activates the protective enchantments, including the Caterwauling Charm, that will make it all but impossible to infiltrate the school via the Floo House. Once the Squad Leader has done so he, or she, shall notify the school's chancellor, who is then responsible for double-checking and ensuring that the Floo House is properly locked down."
"And you're positive you locked the Floo House down properly?"
"I'd bet my sister's life on it."
"Tonight, according to the reports we have thus far, the Black Suns tried simply to Stun you, not to kill you. Why is that?"
"How should I know?" Elianna asked. "I thought at first it was because they wanted to capture me and torture Kitch, Duran, and Billy's locations out of me for revenge."
"Or perhaps they-"
"That's enough." Lor interjected firmly, knowing too well where her daughter's words were going.
"I'll decide what's enough, mother, as this is-"
"My house." Lor finished, not backing down. "Unless this girl has been found guilty of wrongdoing for which you plan to arrest her and take her back to Washington, then yes, it is enough."
Jessica looked for a moment like she wanted to argue her mother's decision, but finally, she nodded her head.
"SKIPPER!" Lor shouted, and once more the house-elf was back at her side.
"Mistress has need of Skipper's services?"
"Kindly take Elianna up to her bedroom, if you don't mind."
"Of course." Skipper bowed as he led Elianna away, leaving Lor alone in the den with her oldest daughter, neither of them speaking until they were sure the younger girl was out of earshot.
"What," Lor suddenly exploded. "In the name of Merlin's loose marbles was that all about?"
"What are you talking about, mom?"
"Don't play innocent with me, Jessica Nicole!" Lor roared, advancing on her daughter. "You know perfectly well what I mean. Do you care to explain to me why you just spent half-an-hour interrogating your brother's best friend in the world as though she were some common criminal?"
"Because, as you should know from reading the letter Yvonne sent me, I was ordered to interrogate-"
"You were asked to retake Elianna Kasumi's official statement for both last night and tonight's attack, not interrogate her."
"Don't be silly, mother." Jessica responded. "Eyewitnesses are the most unreliable pieces of evidence in existence. With each moment that passes, with each word spoken, they forget more and more of the minute details, the little examinations that could make all the difference in the world; I wanted her to understand the severity of-"
"She does understand the severity of it!" Lor shouted. "In twenty-four hours she's been attacked twice, seen a friend die, watched as her best friend was tortured beyond reasons, and a third friend was injured so gravely she's still not woke up!"
"Perhaps, but she's still a child-"
"A child who's shown true grit and courage beyond what most adult wizards will ever show. A child who, like your brother, has earned our respect if for no other reason than what they've endured in only a day's worth of time! A child who, twice now, has made war against the Black Suns and won!"
"Drop the mother bear act, mom." Jessica barked back. "I was doing my job as a member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement-"
"Why?" Lor challenged. "Why did you see fit to interrogate her like that?"
"Because, mom, she's hiding something. I don't know what she's hiding, or even how I know, but I do know: it's like a gut feeling."
"What in the world could she be hiding from you, Jessica? Her stories match perfectly with what Kitch and her family's told us so far."
"Perhaps too perfectly."
"What-are-are you trying to say that she has something to do with these attacks?"
"It does seem suspicious." Jessica answered. "She's one of the only survivors, she's in a perfect position to act against Kitch, and tonight they tried only to Stun her, not kill her-"
"Because they wanted her alive: it may have been for the reasons she believes or it may be to put her under the Imperious Curse and have her attack Kitch. And besides, right before I dueled Izumi Tatsu she was preparing to kill Elianna, had half the curse already spoken and all."
"I still say she's hiding something from me, and I will find out what mom. You saw what Yvonne's letter saw."
"I did-"
"The only way anyone could have gotten onto GAME Island last night was through the Floo House. The Magical Grates were all opened, from the school's side. The Black Suns had the counter-spells to get into the High Office and bring down all the island's magical barriers and wards: that's how so many of them disapparated and escaped last night."
"The Ministry suspects inside help, yes." Lor conceded. "But that doesn't mean Elianna Kasumi is the traitor."
"That's exactly what the evidence means." Jessica argued. "She was assigned to ensure that the Floo House was secured last night, and according to the school logs that survived Colonel Faulkner never got around to double-checking them to ensure the Floo House really was locked down."
"Think of what you're saying, Jessica!" Lor ordered. "This is Elianna Kasumi, the little girl your brother's been bringing over during holidays for the past four years now, his best friend! You've seen how close they are: do you honestly think she'd do anything to harm him?"
"Look at the evidence, mom." Jessica shot back. "She knew tonight, when she activated that galleon, that Kitch would come after her. You said it yourself: they've known each other for years: she knew Kitch wouldn't just sit and wait on us to save her, not when she was in danger. She knew the portkey would work, just as she knew Kitch would come after her, alone, without waiting for Ministry backing."
"Perhaps she did, but even then that only makes them both very foolish. I saw her chase Izumi Tatsu tonight, Jessica: she tried dueling-"
"She tried, and magically failed, to disarm Izumi Tatsu. Tatsu then toyed with her while Kitch just happened to be hit with a Cruciatus Curse that supposedly was meant for Elianna. Izumi may have said the first half of the Killing Curse, but I'd bet that she knew you were there and would stop her before she completed the curse."
"Perhaps." Lor ceded. "There is, I'll admit, a very miniscule chance you could be right about all of this. I know you're not, just as I know I'll stand by Elianna and Kitch no matter what comes, but still, maybe I am wrong. However, I suggest you gather more evidence: all you have at the moment is circumstantial evidence, a bunch of what-ifs that couldn't withstand a house-elf's sneeze. Until then, though, you watch it around those children."
"I-"
"Watch it around the children. Are we understood, Jessica Nicole Grant?"
"Yes, ma'am, I understand."
"Good. Now, is your office pressing charges against them?"
"Against Elianna? Not at the moment: we'll likely wait until we have more solid proof, as you just suggested. As for magic in front of muggles…well, given the circumstances we're going to let it slide. However, Kitch may be a different story."
"What do you mean, girl?"
"Well, he did use an unauthorized portkey-"
"To save his best friend's life."
"Perhaps, but regardless, he had already sent Skipper to fetch help from the Ministry, he knew it was illegal to use an unauthorized portkey, and yet he did it anyway."
"You're seriously standing there and telling me that you and your office are seriously considering pressing charges against your little brother for doing something that saved a girl's life, that thwarted the Black Suns yet again?"
"I don't like it, mom, but he did break the law, and if the Ministry decides to take legal action against him then there is very little I can do but do my job. After all, aren't you the one who told me, back when I first joined the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, that I had to take my oath more seriously than my own life, that I must never cheat the justice system, no matter who for."
"I KNOW THAT DAMN IT!" Lor bellowed. "But this is different-"
"Not at all." Jessica countered.
"It is, Jessica. This is a gross miscarriage of justice and you and I both know it! This is nothing more or less than an old-fashioned muggle witch hunt, and your brother's the target."
"I know it is mom, and I give you my word I will do all I can to help him: you have to believe me. However, this goes well beyond tonight's events."
"How so?"
"The Ministry is…disturbed, I believe, that a bunch of children were able to utilize this level of magic. Most of the charms Elianna described in regards to those galleons are magic N.E.W.T.-Level and beyond. I am confident the Ministry wants to know who cast that magic and who taught him the kind of magic needed. It does, after all, fly in the face of the Ministry-approved curriculum used by schools in America."
"Pax Onasi is dead, Jessica. How are you going to question a corpse?"
"I know mom, which is why Tabitha, Kitch, and Elianna will be the ones questioned now, though I'd not be surprised if the Ministry doesn't try to get you to-"
"You can forget it. They can arrest me, do what they want, but I will not defile the boy's grave in such way. He's at peace now, where he belongs."
"Mom," Jessica said, her voice shaking. "Please don't look at me as the bad guy here. I'm stuck between a dragon and a hot spot right here. My office has been assigned this investigation, and I've been made chief investigator for it: if the order comes down to arrest any of them then that will be put into my lap."
"Fine," Lor said, forcing herself to calm down and see things from her daughter's perspective. "You're right, you must do your duty: justice must be done. If the Department of Magical Law Enforcement decides that Kitch or Elianna ought to stand trial then they will do so, and I do not want you to call in any favors or pull any strings to get either of them off easy."
"Mom, please don't hate me." Jessica begged. "I still love you. You know that, right."
"Of course I know that, and I'd never hate you, baby: why do you ask?"
"Because, mom, I know you: you have something up your sleeves."
"Of course I don't." Lor denied. "You know, though, I am curious as to what the public would say think if news of this were to accidentally leak to the Patriot Post. The heroes of GAME Island now being accused of orchestrating the attack based off of sorry, circumstantial evidence, and all. I wonder how many protests the Ministry would have on their hands."
"No mom, you wouldn't-"
"Wouldn't I?" Lor asked, a mischievous smile on her face. "I mean, my old friend, Daphne Ebenezer, is the editor-in-chief of the Patriot Post, and it was her daughter Pax Onasi died saving: she's been owling me all day, trying to get a statement from Kitch about last night. Perhaps I could let slip this investigation-"
"And jeopardize our investigation?"
"The Constitution, my dear: it applies to all Americans, muggle and wizarding alike. Freedom of Speech and Press, Jessica; there's nothing the Ministry could do to stop me."
"But the investigation-"
"Is a witch hunt." Lor snapped once more. "Now, she asked her questions and I may very well answer them. I'd do so friend to friend, with her word that she'd not publish them, though if she broke that word all I could do is be mad."
"You're blackmailing the Ministry of Magic into dropping an investigation least you go public with details of an ongoing investigation."
"Not at all." Lor countered, a happy smile on her face. "After all, I'm making no demand, no request, that the investigation be dropped, but rather musing aloud to my daughter in the comfort of my own home."
Lor brushed by her daughter and began ascending the stairs, moving to once more check on the children under her care. As she reached the third stair, however, her daughter's voice caught her attention once more.
"Hey, mom."
"What, Jessica?" Lor asked, turning to once more face her daughter.
"What-" She paused, looking as though she were searching for the right words. "What do I do if-" Another pause. "What do I do if I find evidence that proves Elianna is the traitor, that she is behind these attacks?"
"Then, my baby, you do your duty. You do your duty to the Ministry of Magic of the United States of America, you do your duty to those who last night fell on GAME Island, to the families who lost loved ones there, and most importantly of all, you do your duty to your family, to the little brother I know you love."
Jessica nodded her head as she turned to walk away…
"But, if Elianna is, as I know, innocent of such crimes, you still do your duty to the Ministry of Magic of the United States of America, you do your duty to those who last night fell on GAME Island, to the families who lost loved ones there, and most importantly of all, you do your duty to your family, to the little brother you know you still love."
The better part of an hour flew by as Jessica returned to Washington and Lor ensure her guests were now settling down okay. Once done making her rounds, she sat down in her kitchen and silently relived the night's actions, reminding herself just how close she'd come to losing her son…
"I'm sorry I arrived too late for the party." A male voice said, and grabbing her wand Lor whirled around, but when she saw the pale-skinned teen she sighed and lowered her wand.
"Duran, didn't I ever teach you not to sneak up on people, especially after going through a night like tonight?"
"You did, but I slept through that class, remember?"
"Of course you did." Lor said with a chuckle as she hugged the boy she'd taken under her wing following the murder of his father. "So, what's up?"
"Not too much, really. A Ministry contact told me about Kitch and Elianna, but by the time Billy and me could get away and disapparate we were too two runts okay?"
"Elianna's a little banged up, but she'll live. Kitch tried to duel Izumi Tatsu and took a good beating from the Cruciatus Curse for it, but he'll be fine too. Of course, now he's got the Ministry wanting to charge him for using an illegal portkey without authorization, and they want to investigate her as a possible traitor..."
"Nah, they won't, not when I'm done with them."
"As tempting as that is, Duran, I believe we're going to play this one fair and square."
"Ah, already got a plan, I take it?"
"Of course I do."
"You need me just let me know. In the meantime, though, do you have any Polyjuice Potion lying around?"
"Depends: what do you need it for?"
"To infiltrate a pack of werewolves Billy and me discovered have ties with our father's murder."
"Top shelf of the cupboard in my room far right at the back: Raven makes sure I stay stocked up and up-to-date."
"Oh yeah, how is my favorite cut-throat doing?"
"She's in Korea at the moment, tracking a group of dark wizards wanted by the government of Belgium."
"Easy money, that is."
"She said the same thing."
"Well, I'm going to rob your personal stores and then I'm off to collect on a very old debt."
"Just do me a favor, Duran, and be careful."
"Hey, it's me."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
Lor smiled as the boy disappeared into the house, a sad smile on her face. She knew just how long Duran and his brother, Billy, with the help of her own daughter, Raven, had been searching for the werewolves responsible for the death of Gavin Detreo, and she had no misconceptions about what the two brothers, perhaps ever her youngest daughter, planned to do once they found those responsible. However, while Lor never condoned execution, this case, she reminded herself, was different: her brother-in-law's death had been a circus, a mauling, most of his body desecrated beyond pure evil. As Lor had said before, those responsible deserved too well what she felt Duran, Billy, and Raven were preparing to give them.
Perhaps, she thought sadly as she re-read the parchment she'd prepared to send Daphne Ebenezer in the event of her son or his best friend being charged with any kind of criminal action, that the two brothers would soon be free of their cursed past and able to move on toward the powerful destiny she sensed lay ahead of them now.
Did you guys really think I'd kill off another of my main OCs so soon? (In case you're wondering, OC means Original Character)
I think this is my favorite chapter so far. And don't worry, things are only going to get more interesting and more chaotic with time.
I will admit, however, that originally I never intended for Elianna to get into that argument with Jessica Grant, and originally I'd planned on it being Jessica that taught Kitch and his friends the Stunner, but I decided it didn't fit with her being an American female version of Percy Weasley, so yeah, there you go.
I'd love to get more actual reviews from you guys, let me know what ya'll think. Hopefully the next chapter isn't too far away...